As far as Brees is concerned, we owe Rick Spielman a punch in the face too.... he passed him up in the draft before Saban had the opportunity to screw that decision up again.

Drew Brees is only one of the reasons Saban deserves to be loathed by Dolphin fans.

Here was Brees's take on the way Saban handled it. (From PFT.com)

Quote:

Brees speaks about almost becoming a Dolphin

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on October 21, 2009 5:35 PM ET

Dolphins fans that have long moved past the Nick Saban era get a chance this week to relive the Nicktator's single worst decision running Miami's franchise. (Yep, even worse than interviewing with Mr. Florio.)

I'm referring to Saban's failure to land Drew Brees during the 2006 offseason. The Dolphins instead ended with Daunte Culpepper, Saban eventually landed in Alabama, with the John Beck/Cam Cameron combo platter arrived in Miami.

In advance of this Sunday's Saints-Dolphins game, a few excellent articles are out detailing what exactly happened four years ago.

Brees admits to Mike Triplette of the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he was leaning towards Miami initially, which confirms many previous reports. But the Saints and new coach Sean Payton made it clear they were "all in" for Brees, while Saban's interest was lukewarm.

Brees recalls that, "Saban was just kind of like, 'We'll see what the test results say, and I'll get back to you.' And I was like, do you want me here or not?" Brees said. "And he was like, 'Well, yeah, I do, I just have to make sure.'"

The Saints were ultimately willing to offer more money, and closed the deal soon thereafter. (Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald provides another good blow-by-blow account from the Dolphins perspective.)

Brees is tired of the subject this week already, so he released a statement Wednesday. He said the Dolphins didn't believe in his ability to come back.

Brees is clearly happy that he wound up landing with his Plan B.

"Nothing could have worked out better than it has here . . . This is where I belong, and I felt like this was a calling."

As someone who went to college in New Orleans and loves the city, I'm happy things worked out the way they did too. The Saints' bond with the city is truly unique, and what Brees means to New Orleans is enough to make a sports cynic turn into a softie.

So, thanks Nick!

_________________"Don Shula's the only coach I've ever met who can take his'n and beat your'n, then take your'n and beat his'n." -Bum Phillips

Saban was worried about Brees' shoulder at the time, which was banged up and healing, and whether or not it would keep Brees from playing at a high level ever again. In the end he went with the QB with the knee problem and not the guy with the throwing arm problem... Saban thought Culpepper was the safer bet and he was completely wrong.

That's all ancient history to me though. I'm thinking about Henne and the future.

I was going to post this same comment, it was the docs that said to not go with Brees and the Culpepper's knee would be fine. Most people down here agreed with the decision at the time and went out and bought their Culpepper jerseys, excited for the new season. I actually had season tickets that year and was hugely disappointed. Our first home game of the season and by the 3rd-4th quarter everyone was chanting "jo-ey jo-ey" (for harrington). I almost puked when I heard that, but culpepper proved to be no better. What a waste.